Chapter 264
Stella paused for a moment, her hand hovering over the box of cockroaches she was about to add to the collection.
“You never believed me when I said I wanted a divorce,” she said calmly. “So, I went ahead and filed the papers. I told you last time, after the holidays, you’d hear from the court.”
Haynes’s voice was icy. “I’ve agreed to the divorce. Go withdraw the lawsuit immediately.”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that,” Stella replied, her tone steady. “What if, after the cooling-off period, Mr. O’Brien decides to change his mind and delays the process further?”
“After all, Mr. O’Brien hasn’t really given anything up yet. All I’ve done is sign a forgiveness letter for Jasper and provide Ms. Pearce with the first course of treatment.”
Haynes’s voice was as cold as ever. “But you don’t seem worried about me backing out.”
Stella was unperturbed. “Dealing with someone like Mr. O’Brien, it’s wise to have a backup plan. Otherwise, who knows what might happen?”
Haynes had a sense of why Stella was so confident. “Even with Neville Connolly’s help, do you think last time’s incident will happen again?”
Last time, he had been caught off guard. He never expected Stella, who seemed as gentle as a rabbit, to make such a bold move. Had she really been contemplating divorce all along, without regard for the consequences?
The thought made his breath quicken slightly.
“Don’t worry,” Stella said. “I know that trick only works once. It won’t be effective a second time.”
Haynes’s voice grew even colder. “Stella, do you really want to push things this far?”
At this point, not even Haynes could deceive himself any longer. If Stella didn’t want a divorce, why hadn’t she come back, and why hadn’t she admitted any fault?
Not even Keen O’Brien was involved anymore.
Her gaze toward him had lost its warmth, its former tenderness, and affection. Every action she took left no room for retreat.
Only now did Haynes feel a surreal sense of realization. Stella really wanted to divorce him.
A twinge of inexplicable anger rose within him. Stella dared to divorce him? Hadn’t he treated her well enough?
Stella’s voice, as cool as a mountain stream, came through the phone.
“Am I the one being unreasonable? It’s you who refuses to listen! I’ve said enough about the divorce.”
“Since we’ve reached an agreement and you do your part, I will do mine.”
“As for the divorce case… once we receive the divorce certificate in a month, I’ll withdraw the lawsuit.”
With that, Stella ended the call.
Haynes stared at the phone in disbelief, feeling a tightness in his chest, with nowhere to vent his frustration.
The atmosphere in the room seemed to freeze.
Jasper, knowing Haynes preferred quiet, hadn’t invited his usual rowdy friends this time.
Considering Haynes’s ten-billion-dollar gesture to help him and Rachel, Jasper felt
a bit guilty. He had only invited Foreman, a childhood friend.
With so few people, the room was silent.
The voice on the other end of the line had been clear to both Jasper and Foreman.
Jasper, who had always hoped for Haynes and Stella to split, now found himself
at a loss for words. He looked at Foreman, disbelief etched on his face.
“Foreman, do you think Stella really… wants to divorce Haynie?”
He had long wished for this day, yet now that it was happening, an unexpected
sense of dissatisfaction crept over him.